Illuminating Innovation: Moss Creek Charitable Fund Helps Local Schools Shine

For many years, the Moss Creek Charitable Fund has been a steadfast supporter of the Foundation for Educational Excellence — helping to make classroom innovation possible across Beaufort County School District. Because of their generosity, three grants awarded in Fall 2024 bring creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning to local classrooms.

Coosa Elementary School — Innovate and Illuminate: Ozobot Evo in the Classroom

Teachers Jamey Porter and Jennifer Lyles at Coosa Elementary found an exciting way to merge coding, geography, and environmental science into one dynamic learning experience. With the help of Foundation funding from the Moss Creek Charitable Fund, their students explored how to reduce the effects of weather-related hazards using Ozobot Evo robots to simulate design solutions and test ideas.

This interdisciplinary approach made science tangible and exciting. Students learned to code their robots, analyze environmental data, and collaborate on solutions to real-world problems. Beyond science and technology, the project strengthened critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and communication skills — all essential for success in the 21st century.

Beaufort Elementary School — Write: Here, There, and Everywhere

At Beaufort Elementary, teacher Marianne Blake used her grant to inspire the next generation of authors. Each student received a Bare Book — a blank, hardbound book designed for publishing original writing.

Across grade levels, students used their Bare Books to capture what they learned throughout the year in creative ways. Kindergarteners wrote A–B–C books about their experiences, while first graders crafted opinion-based A–Z books about their favorite things. Older students combined their writing with projects from the school garden, blending literacy and environmental learning.

As a result, students were eager and motivated to write. They were thrilled to see their words come to life in a book they could hold and keep. This project not only fostered writing growth but also gave students the pride of becoming “real authors.”

Bluffton High School — Bright Bobcat Plates

At Bluffton High, teacher Ann Buckley and her students took a hands-on approach to building life skills in the kitchen. Through the Bright Bobcat Plates grant, students worked alongside their Speech and Language teacher to prepare healthy meals and snacks, while focusing on important skills such as sanitation, teamwork, time management, and communication.

Students made everything from slow-cooker oatmeal and homemade salsa to fruit trifles and frozen desserts all while practicing functional vocabulary and learning how to follow recipes independently. The grant allowed the class to use fresh ingredients, increasing the nutritional value and variety of the meals.

Beyond cooking, this project encouraged collaboration, positive social interaction, and confidence that helped students build skills they can carry into adulthood. Teachers have already seen students transfer what they’ve learned about food safety and teamwork into other settings, proving the long-term impact of this hands-on experience.

Thanks to the continued generosity of the Moss Creek Charitable Fund, these three projects exemplify the mission of the Foundation for Educational Excellence — to empower teachers with the resources they need to inspire, innovate, and ignite a love of learning.

Together, we are helping Beaufort County students think creatively, connect learning to the real world, and gain skills that will last a lifetime.

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